“Have I bored you so quickly?” his date asks, drawing his attention back.
“Forgive me,” he replies, returning to the young woman sitting in front of him. She’s a beauty to be sure, soft, light brown hair, pretty eyes, lips… if only he could remember her name. “I’ve just seen a business associate. I’ve had a lovely evening, and I hope you’ll forgive the interruption. My driver will see you back to your home.”
Dayton gestures to his driver, who has been hovering near the walnut bar in the back of the room. He responds instantly.
“Return, this young Miss home, please.” A huff in indignation erupts from her. “Laura, my name is Laura. This is insulting,” she snaps and leaps to her feet, tossing her cloth napkin onto the table. “Don’t bother calling tomorrow, Mr. Patrick.”
Laura storms from the restaurant, but Dayton barely notices. His attention is focused solely on what’s happening at Savannah’s table.
Savannah’s stomach drops when the scene occurs across the room. She quickly concludes her business. Time to go. Gathering her remaining tin-types, she stuffs them in her bag and chooses that moment to leave. “Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure doing business with you, but I’m afraid that I’m out of time.” She stands, “My driver is waiting for me.”
Both men stand quickly, “Allow me to escort you,” Ned reaches for her bags. “I’d be happy to carry your bags.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Samberg. I don’t allow anyone to carry my bags, the tintypes are fragile, but I’d appreciate the escort,” she slips an arm through his and allows him to guide her from the room. Alex stays behind to pay the check.
Dayton does the same but never takes his eyes from her. He motions for the waiter and slips him a tip to slow her exit. The waiter grins and hurries through the staff door.
Savannah sighs in relief when they step from the restaurant into the lobby to wait for the carriage to be brought around. Releasing his arm, she turns to glance at Ned when he speaks.
“Miss Ward, I’ll be in town for a few days. I was hoping you’d do me the honor…”
Ned jerks in surprise when a waiter crashes into him, shoving him sideways and spilling a tray of water on him. “You oaf!” Ned shouts. Savannah stumbles back and watches in shock.
“I’m so sorry, Sir, please allow me…”
Dayton stands in the entry of the restaurant and watches with a smothered grin until he sees the fear flicker across Savannah’s face.
“No! You’ve done enough!” Ned shouts at the waiter, shoving him and not thinking about the water on the floor.
“Oh!” Savannah gasps as the young man slams into her. Both lose their footing and dropping her bags will damage the tintypes. She can only close her eyes against the coming fall.
Dayton reacts, leaping to catch her. Warm arms wrap around her waist and Dayton pulls her back into his body. “I’ve got you, Miss Ward.” The scent of warm vanilla drifts to him, and he inhales discreetly.
His deep voice sends chills down her body. “Dayton!” Tremors wrack her small frame causing fury to rip through his mind.
“Give me a minute. It seems your date needs to be taught some manners.” He gently sets her behind him and releases her.
The cold envelops her body when he moves away from her and confusion flickers in her mind. Dayton is a family friend, nothing more.
Ned is still yelling at the poor waiter when Dayton steps in front of him. “Enough!” Dayton orders.
“Who do you…” Ned starts to say.
“Ned, enough!” Alex Traysor barks out and turns to Dayton.
Savannah doesn’t think twice, she escapes. The fresh air surrounds her, and she starts walking swiftly in the direction of her hotel. One thing she learned while traveling during the war and working around so many men, never second guess their motives. It’s typically the same intention, and Dayton is no exception to that rule. He’s the very definition of a skirt chaser.
Dayton fancies himself a dashing hero, and she’s not interested in any man, no matter how gorgeous, funny and strong. He was really strong; her mind interrupts her lecture. He smelled good too, the voice says.
“Shut up,” she whispers and almost starts laughing, but too many people are glancing at her as she walks past the shops. An unescorted woman always draws attention.
Her stomach drops when she hears the sounds of wheels, horses and a driver. She knows it’s Dayton before the door opens and he jumps down.
“Miss Ward.”
Savannah steps over to stop in front of Dayton, “You’ve caused enough of a scene, Mr. Patrick,” she hisses. “Move along.”
“I’m wounded, Miss Ward, after I rescued you,” Dayton grins and flashes a dimple, but Savannah isn’t buying it.
“You know perfectly well, that you didn’t…”
“Allow me to return you to your family,” he interrupts her, causing her to narrow her blue eyes. A flush of exasperation flashes across her pale cheeks.
People are openly staring at them, and Dayton is grinning at her with his charming smile. She quickly decides its best to move this off the street.
“Fine,” she steps past him to the driver and hands her bag to him. “Careful, please, these are fragile.”
After she settles in, Dayton climbs inside and sits across from her. “I was worried for your safety, Miss Ward, after the way things went inside the restaurant.”
“I can take care of myself, Mr. Patrick,” she sniffs as the carriage moves.
“That’s arguable, Miss. Ward,” Dayton laughs.
“People always
